Faults discovered on nearly half of resort's inspected taxis

SAFETY checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in Yorkshire’s most popular seaside resort have found “unacceptable” levels of defects with faults on almost half of all vehicles inspected.

Officers from Scarborough Borough Council and North Yorkshire Police admitted yesterday that they are disappointed after an immediate suspension and six delayed suspensions were issued during the crackdown.

The aim of the operation on Friday, which also involved the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA), was to ensure the public are getting into fully roadworthy vehicles and inspectors were checking for faulty headlights and indicators, illegal tyres and worn handbrakes.

The council’s licensing officers were also checking that licensed drivers were fully compliant with council policy and Government legislation.

The immediate suspension notice was for a bald tyre and the vehicle was taken off the road immediately.

The six delayed suspension notices were issued for a fuel leak, worn disc brake pads, an insecure exhaust, a fractured suspension linkage and a defective steering joint and the operator of one vehicle was give one day to rectify the problems.

The drivers of seven other vehicles were given verbal advisory notifications for minor but important defects such as mirrors, suspension, and worn brake pads and tyres.

The chairman of the borough council’s licensing committee, Coun Brian Watson, said: “While I am pleased with the way the operation was conducted, I am disappointed at the percentage of vehicles identified with defects.

“I am, however, also aware that many licensed drivers are diligent and do check their vehicles thoroughly before starting work.”

Scarborough Borough Council's licensing manager, Una Faithfull, admitted that the inspections revealed an “unacceptable level of defects”.

Out of the 27 taxi and private hire vehicles inspected, the remaining 15 were given a clean bill of health.

Sgt Neil Campbell, from North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said the level of defects discovered was “disappointing”.

He added: “The public have a right to expect that the vehicles they pay to be carried in are maintained to a high level.”